4. Claiming child benefit

• Getting paid

Child benefit is administered by HMRC. You can claim online at gov.uk/child-benefit/how-to-claim, or you can claim on Form CH2, which you can get from the Child Benefit Office on 0300 200 3100, or gov.uk/government/publications/child-benefit-claim-form-ch2. The form can be completed online, but must be printed, signed and sent by post.

You should make a claim within three months of becoming eligible. This is because your claim can usually only be backdated for up to three months. You do not have to show any reasons why your claim was late.

Getting paid

Child benefit is usually paid directly into your bank (or similar) account. Which account it goes into is up to you. If you do not want your benefit to go into an account that is overdrawn, give HMRC details of an alternative account if you have access to, or can open, one.